Does White Light Really Exist as One Wave?

In summary, white light is typically understood as a continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves, while the term "white light" can also refer to a combination of seven monochromatic waves. The concept of polarization does not involve completely cutting out the magnetic field.
  • #1
Fiona Rozario
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1
White light is composed of 7 wavelengths. And yet we show white light as one single electrical wave perpendicular to the accompanying magnetic wave. Don't all the waves actually travel separate (though at the same speed)? Also, does polarization of light mean cutting out on the magnetic field completely (with reference to the image)?
 

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  • #2
While you probably can trick the human eye into interpreting a combination of seven monochromatic electromagnetic waves as "white light", that is not what we usually mean by that. What we usually means by "white light" is a continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves, whose frequencies are greater that those of infrared light, and lower than those of ultra-violet light.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White#Optics

The answer to the second part (polarization) is simple: no.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarization_(waves )
 
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1. What is white light?

White light is a type of light that is composed of all the visible colors of the spectrum. This includes colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. When these colors are combined, they create white light.

2. How is white light different from other types of light?

White light is different from other types of light because it is a combination of all the visible colors, whereas other types of light may only have one or a few colors present. White light can also be separated into its component colors using a prism, while other types of light may not be able to be separated in this way.

3. What is polarization?

Polarization is a property of light that describes the direction in which the electric field of the light wave is oscillating. In unpolarized light, the electric field can oscillate in any direction perpendicular to the direction of travel. In polarized light, the electric field oscillates in only one direction, creating a more organized and uniform light wave.

4. How is polarization of light measured?

The polarization of light is typically measured using a polarimeter, which is a device that can detect the direction of the electric field in a light wave. This can be done by passing the light through a polarizing filter or by using a special type of crystal that can split the light into two beams with different polarizations.

5. What are some applications of polarization of light?

Polarization of light has many practical applications, such as in sunglasses, 3D glasses, and LCD screens. It is also used in various scientific fields, such as in polarized light microscopy and in studying the composition of materials. Additionally, polarized light is used in telecommunications, specifically in fiber optic cables, to transmit information over long distances.

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